Let’s learn about Sikhism!

What is Sikhism?
In the Punjabi language, the word ‘Sikh’ means ‘disciple’. Sikhs are the believers of God who follow the teachings and writings of the Ten Sikh Gurus. Sikhism established over 500 years ago in 1500 CE. Today the Sikh religion has a following of over 20 million people worldwide. Sikhism teaches the remembrance and worship of God at all times, honest living, equality of humanity, social justice and blind routines. Sikhism is open to all.
Sikhs believe everyone, men and women, have equal status before God, who created the universe and all faiths. Human beings are encouraged to develop their moral character through generosity, humility and self-reliance.
Sikhs have had an obligation to treat women as equals, and gender discrimination in Sikhsociety has no religious basis. However, gender equality has been difficult to achieve in practice due to heavy pressure from social, cultural and caste practices.
Sikh is properly pronounced “sik” but you will likely not be corrected for saying “seek.”

Where did it originate?
Sikhism was divinely revealed to its first guru, or prophet, Guru Nanak(the white haired dude), who died in 1539. Nine gurus followed him, the last of which, Guru Gobind Singh, died in 1708.

So is there a bible?
No, there is however the Sikh Holy Book and Living Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The Guru Granth Sahib is made up entirely of devotional poetry, most of which is set to music. Sikh worship consists of singing these compositions in both private and congregational settings.

Where do they gather?
The Sikh place of worship is known as a gurdwara, and it is where the Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib is kept, though copies are also found in Sikh homes. The literal meaning of the Punjabi word Gurdwara is 'the residence of the Guru', or 'the door that leads to the Guru'. In a gurdwara, all remove their shoes, and cover their heads. Even non-Sikhs must cover their head with a handkerchief or scarf.
A Gurdwara is marked by the Nishan Sahib, the Sikh flag. The four doors of a Sikh temple represent the Door of Peace, the Door of Livelihood, the Door of Learning, and the Door of Grace. These doors must always remain open to everyone.
The central Sikh shrine is the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar, India, which is also known as the Golden Temple. (Pictured above)

Inside the Gudwara.
After entering the hall, where Guru Granth Sahib is kept, people must walk slowly, bow humbly, and touch their foreheads to the ground, out of respect and love for the Guru. As people bow, they must place an offering (or gift) respectfully before the Guru. The offering may be money, flowers, or words of thanks. Any sincere expression of thanks is equally acceptable to the Guru. After bowing and offering, a person should sit quietly in the Sangat (congregation), without disturbing others. Usually men sit on one side and women on the other. People sit in a cross-legged position. Talking or whispering is not allowed.
Usually, worship services in the Gurdwara follow common patterns. Kirtan is singing the holy hymns. Katha is reading, and then explaining, the hymns. Ardas is prayer. Six verses of Anand Sahib may be sung. There may also be Vak or Hukam, where one random hymn from Guru Granth Sahib is read. This is the Guru's message or 'Order' of the day to the Sangat. After the Hukam is done, Karah Parshad is distributed. Then Langar, food from the Guru's kitchen, is served.
There are no idols, statues, or religious pictures in a Gurdwara, because Sikhs worship only God, and they regard God as having no physical form. Nor are there candles, incense, or bells, or any other ritualistic devices.
The book is placed on a raised platform (Takht or Manji Sahib, meaning "throne") under a canopy (Chanani or Palki), and covered with an expensive cloth when not being read.
During a service a person with a whisk or fan called a Chaur waves it over the Guru Granth Sahib.
The Chaur is used to fan the Granth as a sign of reverence and respect for the scriptures.

After services, Sikhs partake in the langar, a communal meal, typically of Punjabi food, cooked and served by volunteers. The langar service at the Golden Temple serves over 50,000 people a day. On holidays/religious occasions, the number often goes up to 100,000! Meals in the langar are vegetarian, and are simple, nourishing and nutritious. They usually consist of rotis (bread), rice, daal (lentils), a vegetable dish, and kheer (dessert). Everyone sits in ‘pangat’ (row or line) for there to not be any discrimination about the origin of the country, caste, creed, or religion of a person. The elderly, disabled persons and pregnant women may sit on a chair or at a table.

The Five K’s
The Kesh, or uncut, long hair, is considered by Sikhs as an indispensable part of the human body. Long known as a sign of spiritual devotion, it also emulates the appearance of Guru Gobind Singh and is one of the primary signs by which a Sikh can be clearly and quickly identified.
Kangha is a small wooden comb that Sikhs use twice a day. It is supposed to be worn only in the hair and at all times. Combs help to clean and remove tangles from the hair, and is a symbol of cleanliness. Combing their hair reminds Sikhs that their lives should be tidy and organized.
Katchera or Kachmemeosera was made part of the five Ks as a symbol of a Sikh soldier's willingness to be ready at a moment's notice for battle or for defence. The confirmed Sikh (one who has taken the Amrit) wears a Kachera every day. Some go to the extent of wearing a Kacheraye while bathing, to be ready to at a moment's notice, changing into the new one a single leg at a time, so as to have no moment where they are unprepared.
The Sikhs were commanded by Guru Gobind Singh at the Baisakhi Amrit Sanchar in 1699 to wear an iron bracelet called a Kara at all times. The Kara is a constant reminder to always remember that whatever a person does with their hands has to be in keeping with the advice given by the Guru. The Kara is an iron/steel circle to symbolise God as never ending. It is a symbol of permanent bonding to the community, of being a link in the chain of Khalsa Sikhs.
Kirpan is a dagger which symbolizes a Sikh's duty to come to the defence of those in peril. All Sikhs should wear kirpan on their body at all times as a defensive side-arm, just as a police officer is expected to wear a side-arm when on duty. Its use is only allowed in the act of self-defense and the protection of others. It stands for bravery and protecting the weak and innocent.

The Turban:
A traditional turban is usually long cloth typically 3.5 to 6 meters long and 1 meter wide. The most common turban colors worn by Sikhs are blue, orange, white and black. Akali Nihang Sikhs decorate their turbans or Dumalla by wearing small weapons known as shastars in them. The turban's color may reflect association with a particular group of Sikhs, or religious conviction.
All Sikh Gurus since Guru Nanak have worn turbans. However, covering one's hair with a turban was made an official policy by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs. The main reasons to wear turban are to take care of the hair, promote equality, and preserve the Sikh identity.
Sikh men commonly wear a peaked turban that serves partly to cover their long hair, which is never cut out of respect for God's creation. Devout Sikhs also do not cut their beards, so many Sikh men comb out their facial hair and then twist and tuck it up into their turbans along with the hair from their heads.
Most boys will wear a patka until they learn how to tie the full turban, and many will instead have a handkerchief just covering their hair bun on the top of their heads. Young boys will wear a patka or a handkerchief since they’re easy to tie and can stand up to some roughhousing. Sikh men will also often wear a patka when playing sports.
There’s actually a ceremony in which we celebrate when a child ties their first full turban. The ceremony dastaar bandi meaning “turban tying.”